Rotary engine



Feb. 13, 1945. L. D. MCCLEARY RQTARY ENGINE Filed Dec. 31, 1942 2Sheets-Sheet l Lorin D.'Mc(/earj,

i from thelcylinders carried Patented Feb. 13,1945

2369,305 ROTARY ENGINE H e e e Lorin 1). Meals Indianapolis, ma aApplication December 31, 1942, Serial No. 470332 olaims. (oi. et -13$This invention relates to a combined rotary and reciprocating typeengine involving two oppositely revolving members, each serving as aflywheel, one of the members being driven through a leverage systemactuated bypistons within the cylinders of the reciprocating part of theengines and the other member being drivenby reaction forces from saidcylinders. e l

Reference is made to my issued United States Letters Patent. No.2,359,657, October 3, 1944.

The primary object of this invention is to utilize exhaust gases fromthe cylindersjin such manner as to derive additional power therefrom ifurther driving of said members.

A further important object of theinvention is to provide in an engine ofthe type indicated; a simplified structure wherein power impulses indifferent cylinders may be appliedsimultaneously at different pointsmembers. l

A still further important object of the invention is to providean engineof maximum thermal a l and mechanical efficiencies embodied in a structure delivering a maximum power from a mechanism limited to both aminimum of'over-all dimensions and weight. The invention comprisesessentially a structure having aplurality of cylinders arranged ingroups in opposition one to the other, a piston in each cylinder,connecting rods from the pistons operating separate crank assemblies,two rotatable inertia storage masses in the form of said members asabove indicated, a leverage system interconnecting one of said crankassemblies to one of said rotatable members, another leverage systeminterconnecting the other members, and turbine means fixed to one ofthose rotatable members receiving the exhaust gases by the other ofthose l rotatable members.

The invention provides a unique method of not only conducting theexhaust gases from the cylor zones of revolution of said Fig. 1 is aview in central, vertical, longitudinal section through a structure"embodying the invention; l V m Fig. 2, a view in vertical transversesection on the line 22 in Fig. 1;

Fig. 3, a section on the a reduced scale; l 1

line 3-3 in Fig. 1, on

Fig. 1;

. Fig. 5,

Fig. 6, aview in perspective of a cam.

Like characters of reference indicate like parts throughout the severalviews in the drawings.

Amember I0 is rotatably mounted between standards II and I2 toturnabout'a horizontally disposed axis. While the member, I 0 mayassumeanydesired shape, it preferably is made to have considerable mass in orderto serve in the nature of a fiywheeL, Thismember II! is herein shown asa frusto-conical drum, one end i of which is centered on and secured toa hollow crankassembly with the other of said rotatable inderscarried byan inner rotatable member through the outer rotatable member whichcircumferentially surroundstheinner member, but also provides means forderiving power there 1 from.

These and many other objects and advantages of the invention, includingthe unique combinations ofthe' elements as set forth in the appendedclaims, willbecome apparent to those versed in the art in the followingdescription of one particular form of the invention as illustrated moredrawings, in which or less diagrammatically in the accomp y n p l a l lU means, suchas beingsecuredto thebaseflto' shaft l3.

ing annularly therearound and abutting the head,

This shaft l3 has aflange l4 extendof the drum Hlfroin the insidethereoflthe head being securedcto this flange, by any suitable means,such as by cap screws l5, Fig. l; The other end of the'druin memberHlhasia hub l6 secured on the insideof thatendfand axially thereof. Intothis hub I6 is carried a shaft [1 and this shafti1 extendson out throughthe standard 12.1 Fixed'to the shaft 11 between the hub 16 and thestandard; [2 is ashaft driving which will be explained flange l 8, thepurpose of hereinafter.

The drum member I0 is, provided with a pair" of spaced apart radiallyextending walls l9 and, Between these walls I9 and 20 are positioned 20.a plurality of blades orbuckets irregularly spaced apart. This assemblyof the walls l9 and 20 with the intervening blades 2! is fixed to'thecircumferential wall of the drum member ID about an annular openingthe'rethrough in such manner that passageways are provided betweenadjacent blades 2| leading from the inside'of the member I 0 totheoutside thereof. An annular housing 22 is provided to surround theouter end portions of the walls I 9 and 20to provide a closed passageway23 therearound. In the form herein shown, this housing 22 consists of aU-shaped member telescoping witha sliding fit over the walls [9 and 20.This housingmember 22 is fixed in position against rotationwy anysuitable Fig. 4, a view in section onqthe line in a horizontaltransverse section through; the left-hand end ofcthestructure on the,line \55 in Fig.2;and

as a frusto-conical drum, is rotatably mounted within the drum memberIt]. At the left-hand end of theframe member 26, a tubularbearing. 21inturned froni-"the end wall receives .a stub" The outer face of the endwall of the frame member 26 is in sliding abutment with the inner faceof a flange 29 extending radially from the inner end of the shaft-- end28 of the shaft I3.

5! and the crank arm 53 past dead center," which is that position asindicated in the drawings, Figs.

1, 2 and 5. To carry these two members past this condition is onlynecessary upon starting the engine since inertia will take care of thesituation after the various members are traveling at their operatingspeeds. This particular structure does l not form the gist of theinvention in this present case, and is more fully explained in the aboveindicatedpatenta It is suificienttostate that as the crankv arm 45 isrevolved, the cam member. 54 will,

as indicated, be carried around to cause the pin 58 to= enter the slot51, which slot is so positioned I 3, this flange 29 being spaced a=distance-from the flange (4 in order to provide an annular chamber 30therebetween. v

This chamber 30 is circumferentially closed by means of an encirclingband 3| fixed to the end of i the frame member 25 to slide about theiJeripher ybf each o'fth'eflanges l4 and 29: Com-"- municatio-n betweenthis annular chamberz3fl andt the bor'e' of the: hollow shaft |3iis hadby. means of a plurality of passageways 32radially extend+ ingthrouglr'the wall ofi the" shaft I3."

The other end of the framemember" ii hais.av hub '33; axially secured totherig-ht-handerfd.wall.

This hub 33 is provided-with a bore therethrough" which' engages witha;sliding fit around the hub l 6.

Within the frame'member'26 are mounted'a plurality of engine cylinders,herein: shown as; eight in number, grouped in opposingmanner, two

upper cylinders: 34 5 and 35" on the. one'side being aligned with" twouppercylinders :36, and 31i'while two lower cylinders wand 39' aresimilarly oppositely aligned. with cylinders 40 and 441'.-

cranksha'ft 42, rotatably carried by the frame-- member '26; hereinshown as by the two spaced apart inner head's 43- and, .is vsomounted as.to.

have its axis "of. rotationlspacedradially from the axis/of the frame.26 andrto be midway between Se cured: to the throws ofth'e crankshaft'42are con.-

the t'wo sets" or. cylinders: 34,- 35341 16136; 31:

nectirigrods 45 ,.46 and41, lu'interconnectingwith pistonsilli the:respective cylinders. In" other words, the pistons of: these four upper:cylinders serve to drive the crankshaft-42'.

Onthe left-hand end ofi the crankshaft 42 is fixed a crank arm491. Acrank'pin is. carried by'theouter' end of: the-arm 49 and. centeredthereon at a' distance from: the axis; of. rotation axis and the.longitudinalaxis of rotation of the frame member 2 5; this being theaxisin. common of the two shafts l3 and I1.

A-link- 5| is rotatably fitted by One: end over the pin 5D;Land by itsother end is rotatablyen ofthe shaft 42 equal to the distance betweenthat:

gaged through a -pin52= with the crankarm 532' which is fixed to theinner end of theshaft 28,

this shaft 28=being,.as above explained, a fixed part ofthe shaft I3 Thedistance between. centers of the pins' 50 and 52 exceeds theeffectivelength of the crank arm 49, being substantially twice that amount.

The' link 5| ca'rries-onits inner face; directed toward the-head 4-3;acam 54. This cam member 54-has-an-inner cam surface 55 which is in the.

path o'fa pin56 thatis fixed to and extendsfrom. the: outer face of thehead 43. The cammember 54- is-also provided. with a slot 51 thereacrosswhich is in thepath'of -apin 58 also fixed to and extending;from=the::outer faceiof' thehead 4'3;

. The purpose ofthis cammember- 54 and: the

two pins-r56 and-z58isto-carry-the connecting linki across the cammember, and the pin 58 is so 10- Y cated in reference thereto, that thecam member 54, willbeso guided as to pushthe crank arm 53'' on aroundout of parallel alignment with a line'ithroughr the. link 5! between itspivot point centersr Then when the opposite position ofparallelalignment is approached, the inner cam surfacez55will striketoward oneend thereof, the pin 56 -torcause alike relative shiftingbetween the: members5-l and5-3. v i

In likermanner pistons inthe' lower bank of cylinders 38; 3:9:and40;;4'lwoperate through'inter vening connecting rods todrive thcrankshaft: 53;. This crankshaft Bil/i mounted; to revolve? about anaxis diametrically; spacedafromthesaxise of the: other crankshaftJi-Ztheaxis-otthi's; crank 59 beingat aradialdistance from the axis of rthe'shafts litandl l'requal to thesp-acingiofathe shaf 420m the other-sidethereofa On rthe, right-handend; ofthesshaft 59;, is., fixes.-

a crank arm 60;the-outer:endbfywhichtarmfia: rotatably engaged. withthe-connectingglink 6i which is identical in .sizeand: shapwitlrthereonnesting-link 5 Labove described. The distancehe.- tweentheaxis of the crankshaft-59=r and the: center: of the. pivot of the linktlon the. crank.

arm fill equals the radial distance between;..tha.t.- shaft-59 andtheaxisofthe shafts |3.'and i:'! The link 61- carries a cam. member 62identical in. size and shape with thecam member Stand serving: the samepurpose upon cooperating. with. the;

pins B3andq64, l3ig. .3:- The outer endof the can I necting link .6 l:is rockably-engaged.with theouter.

end a of the lever. 55 Whichis fixed toethe; hub. l 5;

The distance between .pivotpoints of theconneet.

ing. link :6 I is equivalent to the distance between 4 pivot points of.theconnecting link 51. However-1..- itis to benotedzthat the crank-:armh5 inithe position. shown in Fig. 1 is: lilo-degrees,fromxthe:

position-ref the crank arm5-3t v a In. thedescription so -fargiven,.it-is;to be notees that-the crank r ar m 53aupen being revolvedwilh drivethe shaftsl-3 and then the-iouterdrumrmem ber. [91fixedthereto;v In like-manner; the crank arm 65, through the hub lfiwillidriverthe outerr drum: memberlll itwbeingremembered that the: innerframe member 25 is free torrevolvesinean. Opposite r direction: due.-to. the two. leversystems described under the. reactive explosion-forcesset upinthe cylinders, tending to move thecylinderss in onedirection andt-heppistons in-theopposite: directions. It is necessary-;tointerconnectvthe: inner frame memberr25- in 'a-drivingmanner-with:

the shaft I! in order to keep the two membersflh and 25 revolving in.timed sequence and-.intordersto furnish a power taker-off iat the.outer;-

ot. the..

shaft-H.

The; inner frame member ;25.;is;- interconnected:

with thisshaftmember t'hthrougn the: above in dicated rfiange; fitby an:ingenious construotion Tllefhuh- 33;. whichsupports .1 the -ri-glt-handgendg of the frame member 26 about thehubrlfi isapr vided withaplurality ofslots therethrough'here: extending-shafts and 1,6. The outerends of I 15 shown 3' as two in number and diametrically positioned,through which slots may be reciprooated the dogs 66 and 61. The radialflange ex-- tending from the hub l6 and interconnectin with the riht-hand end of the drum member ID is providid with an arcuate slot 68,Fig. 3, 13111381017 being cut through that flange to provide an openingtherethrough' dogs 86 and '81. The shaft flange I8 is prov ded with apair of diametrically pos1t1oned openings therein radially spacedtocoincide with the slot EBWvhereby upon proper relative travel of thehubs l6 and 33, the sorted through the slot 68 into the openings n theflange 1'8, and one dog at a time withdrawn to secure the solid part ofthe flange of the hub l6 intervening between the ends of the slot 68.

in order to effectthe proper timed rec procation of the dogs 6'6 and 61,agroove 69 is provided around the periphery of the hub H inclined to theaxis thereof, and inner ends, herein shown as balls, of the dogs '65 and61 engage within this slot. Itbeing remembered that the hub H5 isturning in an opposite direction to that of the hub 33, rotation ofthose members will cause the dogs 66 and Bl to, be reciprocated indirections parallel of the axis of the shaft H, The inclination of thegroove 69 is so aligned with the slot 68 that one dog will always beengaged in an opening in the flange 18 when the other dog s withdrawnand thi engagement will remain until the other dog is again inserted inits respective opening. Thus the shaft I1 is driven in the samedirection and at the same rate of speed as that of the inner framemember 26.

The frame member 25 is provided with a circumferential wall 26aslidingly fitted against the inner edges of the walls l9 and 20 toeffect a normal closure therebetween and entirely therearcundcircumferentially. Exhaust conduits ,lead from the respective cylindersto discharge through this circumferential wall of the frame member 26between the walls 19 and 20 to have the gases discharge between theblades 2|. In the form herein shown, the four cylinders 34, 35, 38, 39have their exhaust discharges interconnected to finally dischargethrough the common pipe I0, Figs. 1 and 2, while the other fourcylinders discharge in common throughthe exhaust pipe ll, Fig. 2, theopenings of these two pipes being substantially at diametricallyopposite positions around the wall of the frame member 26. i

The blades 2| are properly shaped to cause the impingement and expansionof the exhaust gases in the path of the ends of these.

dogs 66 and, 61 may be in-\ these shafts 15 and "16 have fixedthereonrespectively the gears 11 and .18 which are inlturn meshed with gears 19and 80 fixed to earn shafts 8| and, 82. These cam shafts, as indicatedin Figs. 1 and, 2, extendcentrally between and outside of the heads ofthe upper and lower banksof cylinders to operate directly rocker arms 83in turn pressing open the respectiv cylinder valves. It is desired thatthe timing of firing of the cylinders be such that at leasttwodiametrically opposed cylinders fire at the same time. i

The design of the structure provides for relatively high piston speedwith relatively low drive rection to the other) orone shaft may be heldstationary to have the driving power transmitted through the othershaft. If the outer drum member ID is held stationary by fixing thedrive through the drive shaft l1, then the engine is" driven directlyfrom the pistons. When both members It! and 26 are free to revolve, thenthe reactionary forces on the cylinders plus the direct drive from thepistons constitutes the two oppostherein and therebetween to set up adriving force tending to drive the outer dru-m member 10 in thedirectionin which it is already turning under the direct drivingconnections. The relative directions of travel between the outer memberID and the inner member 26 are indicated by the arrows in Fig. 2. Thegasesescaping from between the outer ends of the blades 2| may travelaround through the passageway 23 to escape through the pipes 25.

No attempt has been made to illustratecooling and ignition systems sinceany standard forms thereof may be employed, these parts of the structurebeing purposely omitted to prevent confusion in the showing of the gistof the invention.

ing moving forces, one force turning one rotatable member in onedirection and the other force turning the other rotatable member in anopposing direction. In other words, an explosion within a cylinder tendsto drive the cylinder backwards away from the piston to in turn tend torevolve the inner frame member 26 while the piston is pushing the outerdrum member ID in the other direction. This motive force is, a mented bytheside pressure of the piston on the cylinder wall due to angularity ofthe connecting ro A fuel supply to the various cylinders is had throughthe bore of the shaft l3, the passageways 32 into the chamber 30; andthrough an intake pipe 84 which is carried by the inner frame member 26and carried inwardly thereof to divide into the two branches 85 and 86to go to the respective-groups of cylinders on each side of the framemember 26. While I have herein shown and described my invention in theone particular form, it is obvious that structural variations may beemployed without departing from the spirit of the invention and Itherefore do not desire to be limited to that precise form beyond thelimitations as may be imposed by the following claims.

I claim:

1. In a prime mover employing fluid pressures as a source of energy, arotatable member carrydirection thereto, members connecting said pistonsto crank pins on said crankshaft, means for applying the torque actionimparted to said crankshaft and the torque reaction imparted tosaidsi'cyiinders andi'membertmdrivemthezioadi inrs; posedupon said:prime mover; ansecond memhen concentrically rotatable about the.firstamemben turbineblading; positioned around the seconds member;- andmeans :conductingafmm said cyli'na derand piston" assemblies-exhaustgases and dis-i charging those gasesinto sai-dbblading, aisecor idaunit.'of cylinder-i and pistomassemblie carried by said first rotatablemember; at second cranksha fti mom-soa posed :uporr saidzprim m v n a send mfimben concentrically; roti'wlt tble; about the fiiist member;turbine bladingpositiotrfld; around the second member; and :meanscondueting from lsaid rcy der'and piston-assemblies exhaustgases andv'ddriven by: the pistons of saidisecondvunit and 10:" charging; thosegases-intosaid blading, a second-i journaled' to, rotate withinsaidfirsti member; in the opposite direction of rotation. of thatimembar;ameanszzdrivingly;interconnecting said: second crankshafm withsaid' 'secondi member; reactionmembers married byandaround saidsecondmember; andimean'sv conducting exhaust: gases from both: of: said=cylindenanda pistonassemblies: to discharge; to: said reaction; members;

2. In .a prime-mover employing :fluid pressures a'staz-sourcez ofenergy; .a-rrotata-ble membercarry-- ing-zcylinderxand' pistonassembheafor converting said: fluid'pressures. into-'mechanical power; acitanl'zsl'iait journaled 1 to rotate within the plane; and orbituofsaid member and in the opposite direction thereto; members connectingsaid pis- 1 5 the-opposite direction of; rotation. oi thatmem-d unitiofcy1inder and pistoqassemblies carried bgg, said; first rotatablexmember,a second-crankshait; driven by-the pistons of, said second unimangi gjournaled. to rotate; within said first member,

ber; means. drivin l.ya-interconnectinasaid secon :1. crankshaftwithiasam; se nd l :r,,. t att smrv member rried: y; nd" r u d; idz rwnd member; and means conducting; exhaust gases to discharge. toasaiaction m mb rsrasta io r e t rahoutr a d eaption m an p eg ivins asespassina therea rossaand as scape. mean; onrzsaidjcolleoton v ORIN D.'MQC EABY CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION.

Patent No 2,369,506, February 1 191 LORIN D. MCCLEARY.

It is hereby certified that errorappears in the above numbered patentrequiring correctionas follows; In the drawings, Sheet 2, Figure 2should appear as shown below instead of as in the patent and that thesaid Letters Patent should be 'read with this correction therein thatthe same may conform to the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed thisth davv oi November, A. D. 19LL5.

Leslie Frazer (Seal) First Assistant Commissioner of Patents.

